My laptop screen is broken and im stuck in safe mode so computer wont connect to external monitor

Firstly you need to get your external monitor working. Have you tried pressing FN+F3 while turned on, (may take several presses).

If you can get the external monitor working then you'll need to run windows in safe mode and try removing any new drivers you installed. or try a 'Last Known good' on start up this depends on the OS version.

You can switch to an external monitor or data projector by two methods. 1. Connect the external monitor to the laptop's video port, power up the external monitor first and the laptop. The video information will automatically switch to the external monitor. 2. If you power up the laptop first then you can switch the video output to the external monitor by pressing the Fn key and one of the Function keys, depending upon your make and model laptop. You can also toggle between the external monitor or both LCD screen plus the external monitor or back to LCD screen only by pressing the Fn key plus one of the function key. Here is a list of key combinations for some of the laptops :- IBM ThinkPad = Fn + F7 HP and Compaq = Fn + F4 Toshiba = Fn + F5 Dell = Fn + F8

First after you boot it up normally (not Safe Mode) can you move the mouse far to the left or to the right do you see the mouse. If you do see the mouse pointer you are running dual monitor mode and the laptop screen is set as the primary monitor. You have to run it in Save Mode and set the external monitor as the primary monitor. Hit the Start button then select Help+Support and in the search box enter "dual monitors". Read how to set up the primary monitor.

Second maybe you need to activate the external monitor. When laptops boot normally (not Safe Mode again) with a external monitor connected you have to hit the Fn (function) key (probably blue near Alt key) and some other number key (it probably has a blue monitor symbol on it) I'm not sure which one. This key sequence is a toggle sequence. In other words when you boot a laptop it goes directly to the laptop screen then the first time you do a Fn + number key combination it will turn on the external monitor and turn off the laptop screen the next time you push Fn+number key it will turn on both monitors (external and laptop screen) the third time it will turn on only the laptop screen and so forth.

restart your computer repeatedly tapping the f8 key to enter safe mode while the screen is black once in safe mode where the only things working will be your keyboard and mouse allowing you to attempt to repair your computer

Windows Advanced Options Menu

Please select an option:

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Enable Boot Logging
Enable VGA mode
Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controllers only)
Debugging Mode

Start Windows Normally
Reboot
Return to OS Choices Menu

Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice

you could select the safe mode option and see if you can get the extended desktop again but first you will have to find out why it crashed

if you select last known good configuration that worked it might give you an idea

hope it helps

Hello, Matt.

Sounds like a conflict with your VGA card driver.

From Safe Mode, go to Add/Remove programs and remove anything related to graphics. Go to Device Manager and remove/uninstall any listings for Graphics Adapter.

When you restart, install the drivers from the CD. If the drivers need to be "executed" as a program, cancel out of the driver install and run the drivers program when you get into Windows.

Hope this helps.

Suggestion- on my toshiba fn-f5 switches display modes, but to remove display connectors, you may have messed up your keyboard ribbon cable connection. it probably has a small sliding lock to hold it in place- if the lock isn't tight, your keyboard may not be recognized, which could mess up your display. Also, make sure your battery is charged and/or your power supply to your laptop is connected. hope this helps!

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Sounds like you resolution is too high or vista doesn't recognise your driver.

Try starting in Safe Mode by powering up your PC and tapping the F8 key until you see a menu. Select Safe Mode from the menu. Once in safe mode change the resolution to 800x600 then restart in normal mode.

If that doesn't work then download and install the correct drivers for your display card here;

ftp://ftp.work.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_3680/

Once downloaded, you may need to install it in safe made once again.

Thanks
C

I wouldnt put something like that in, sounds like your having a driver issue,

open the device mgr. and disable the internal and set the external as default windows should set it as default automatically when disabling the internal

The problem is it is defaulting to lcd and not the external monitor
<FN><F5> to toggle to external